Augusta News Archives

“It shouldn't be about politics it should be about good public policy”

Almost halfway through the session, lawmakers in both chambers will begin hearing testimony on what many called a top priority: illegal immigration.

Both the House and Senate Federal and State Affairs committees are set to hear testimony on five proposals targeting various aspects of the issue this week.

Some lawmakers could be leery of voting on illegal-immigration reform in an election year, while some are optimistic.

This is the fifth year Democrats have presented a proposal that would strengthen penalties against businesses caught knowingly hiring illegal workers. Read more

“She wasn't afraid to have fun when she taught”

Family, friends and students are remembering Michelle Mendoza as someone who always put others before herself.

As solemn students passed through the halls of Andover High School on Monday, principal Bob Baier said news of the Spanish teacher's death had taken a toll on the school and its more than 600 students.

Ms. Mendoza, 47, was killed Saturday night in a traffic accident on the U.S. 77 bridge over Walnut Creek near Augusta. Butler County Sheriff Craig Murphy said the two-vehicle accident appeared to have been weather-related. Read more

Three people were killed in car crashes in Southern Kansas Saturday evening. Just before 8:00 p-m, emergency crews were called to the intersection of 87th Street South and 263rd Street West in Western Sedgwick ... via WIBW-TV Topeka

Another dose of winter weather causes two fatal accidents in southcentral Kansas. via KWCH

“He was like one of our own...he was just perfect...he was perfect.”

About 10:00 Thursday night firefighters in Augusta got the report of a fire in the 1200 block of Money Avenue. via KWCH

“I was... into it pretty heavy throughout college”

When Kevin Chase was a student at Kansas State University working on a bachelor's degree in animal science, the furthest thing from his mind was a career in banking. via Kansas.com

“When I took my first banking job, I didn't think I'd probably stick with banking”

When Kevin Chase was a student at Kansas State University working on a bachelor's degree in animal science, the furthest thing from his mind was a career in banking.

Chase, 46, first wanted to be a veterinarian. But he also found a new passion in Manhattan: singer and songwriter.

'I was... into it pretty heavy throughout college,' said Chase, now the chairman and chief executive of Derby-based Verus Bank, a $95 million bank with branches in Derby, Augusta and El Dorado.

When he wasn't doing homework, Chase was performing as a soloist at different venues or as a member of the K-State Singers. That's where he met his future wife, Cindy, and where his life plans changed. Read more

The TextMe12 Valentine contest is now history. We thank you for signing up to be a part of the contest. via KWCH

“I couldn't understand why I couldn't remember what I just read”

Dyslexia is a brain-based learning disorder that impairs a person's ability to read. via Kansas.com

“Right now you're saying this whole group is against you, and we've not said that”

Talk of anti-illegal-immigration proposals generated emotional debate Wednesday between constituents and lawmakers.

The Kansas African American Affairs Commission and the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission coordinated the forum to allow people to ask lawmakers about pending legislation.

The rocky discussion centered on Sen. Peggy Palmer's proposed Kansas Illegal Immigration Relief Act. Among other things, it would require businesses to verify job applicants' employability and allow police to ask about any person's citizenship during an arrest. Read more

“Those coming into our country across the borders are a clear and present danger. Doing nothing is providing a cover and a culture in which terrorists can hide with a reliable means of entry”

A group of Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation to cut down on the number of illegal immigrants hired in Kansas, saying they're responding to growing citizen concerns about the issue. via The Topeka Capital-Journal

Studio 804 at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning has committed to design and construct a sustainable prototype for the city of Greensburg. via The University of Kansas